My first open water swim since October 2010. I think I did well enough. The taste of salt water was odd in that it wasn't constant. I had someone on my heels the first 200. Had a purple cap (next wave) swim under me at about 400. Bumped a guy not long before the second turn. Nothing too unusual. My lower left back tightened up after I made the last turn. I swam as far in as I could. Stood up, looked at my watch, cursed 20:09, and fell back down. Argh!

I don't redline it at all in the water. I swim a very calm, controlled and SLOW pace. Thus, I have slow results. I was sighting a bot too much and not concentrating on my improved stroke.

I was 115 overall and 15 in my age group for T1, comparatively my best of the race. I was more ordered and controlled than Salem. Cleaned my feet off, put my shoes on and got going. I forgot my gel and carried my gloves.

GLOVES. If you are going to ride with gloves, you have to get them on. Fumbling with them as you start the bike is a HUGE mistake.

No two ways about it, this was my best ride ever. I averaged right about 18 MPH. That's pretty much a function of the course. I spent about 10 miles in a group of about five riders. It was a first for me to be in a group. I don't think we were drafting, but none of us were getting away. When I felt like I was too close, I just took over the group. Riding up front as clearly harder. Half way in I was hammering so hard my calves started to cramp. That was a first as well. But I didn't really slow down much. I just kept hammering. So much fun.

If I was in better shape, I could have gone even faster perhaps. It would be interesting to train in more group rides. The pulling and pushing aspect of being in a group was very different.

I was 152 overall and 18th in my age group. I think I transitioned orderly and smoothly but I wasn't rushing because my calves were VERY unhappy.

One of these days, I am going to have to get better at transition. Running the bike, etc.

A very bad run. I had nothing after my best bike ever. I kept going and put one foot in front of the other, but I had no other gear. My left Achilles barked a bit. I started to feel a bit hot on the second mile. On a better day, that would have been a great course.

I had put two miles on the road since Salem. I got what I deserved. Taking my gel as I started my run left it sitting heavy in my stomach. That was a mistake.

Wandered for a moment after the finish then worked my way back up the course to see Steph. Ran back in with her (the fastest I ran all day). Then hung out with her and had pizza and Gatorade (the real stuff is too sweet). Cleared out transition, took a shower and got on the road.


Lack of training. I had a nasty cold that morphed into a sinus infection that took out two of the weeks after Salem. My left Achilles won't ease up on me. It was 100 degrees out for a week. Excuses, excuses. Do or do not. There is no try.


If I had a room at the Beach Inn, I'd do this race again in a heartbeat. The bike and run course are made for redlining. I wish I had been in better shape. Losing the first four weeks after Salem was not helpful. Still, I had a great bike. One of these days, I'll put it all together at a race.